NEW YORK - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of
Energy (DOE) will give Verizon Communications the prestigious Energy Star® Award March 20, in recognition of its leadership in energy
efficiency.

Verizon, which will receive the award along with 11 other major businesses, is the only
telecommunications company to earn the recognition this year. The Energy Star
program and annual awards are part of an overall EPA and DOE effort to promote
pollution prevention through energy efficiency.

During the last several years, Verizon (and its predecessors, Bell Atlantic and GTE) have
launched major efforts aimed at reducing and controlling energy costs and decreasing
pollution.

The company has already achieved over $20 million in annual energy cost savings, or the
equivalent of about 350 million pounds of carbon dioxide that would have been emitted
into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a leading contributor to global warming.

"Our goal is to continue developing, implementing and sustaining a world-class energy efficiency program," said Rod Sluyter, director of Verizon's companywide energy team. "Our creation of a dedicated energy team and the results already achieved truly separates us from other major companies."

"Over the next ten years, Energy Star can save U.S. organizations, including
businesses, schools, hospitals, and others more than $130 billion while protecting the
environment. We are proud to recognize Verizon as a 2001 Energy Star award winner
that is leading the way," said Kathleen Hogan, EPA director, Climate Protection
Partnership Division.

Verizon has a dedicated team of employees whose sole mission is to identify and
implement ways the company can conserve energy. Verizon's annual energy bill is
expected to be about $450 million this year for the company's 15,000 buildings
nationwide.

Under the Energy Star program, Verizon has conducted exhaustive energy audits of its
largest buildings to determine where electrical energy use can be controlled or reduced. To date, 22 high-energy-use buildings have undergone the audit, and four have qualified for Energy Star ratings with more expected later this year. The company is expanding its efforts and will audit more buildings nationwide.

After an audit has identified areas for improvement, Verizon implements energy-conservation measures, including the addition of energy-efficient lighting, electrical
motors and fans. In addition, the company's real estate staff has implemented 14,000
separate energy conservation projects throughout the company.

"One of the important parts of our program is communicating with employees about
ways each of them can help us control and reduce energy use," Sluyter said. "With their help, we're looking for more ways to better use our precious energy resources."

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with nearly 109 million access line equivalents and more than 27.5 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the world's largest provider of print and online directory information. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $63 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com